Parkinson’s Disease Origins May Lie in the Gut,New Research Suggests
September 12,2025,05:49:06 AM EST – Groundbreaking research is challenging long-held beliefs about the onset of Parkinson’s disease,suggesting the neurodegenerative disorder may not originate in the brain,but instead begin in the gut. Scientists are increasingly focused on the role of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins in the enteric nervous system – ofen called the “second brain” – as a potential starting point for the disease’s progression.
For decades, Parkinson’s has been understood as a brain disorder stemming from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. However, accumulating evidence indicates that abnormal protein clumps characteristic of Parkinson’s are frequently found in the gut years before motor symptoms appear. This revelation has notable implications for early diagnosis adn potential preventative therapies, impacting the estimated 10 million people worldwide currently living with Parkinson’s, and the hundreds of thousands diagnosed annually. Researchers believe that these gut-based protein aggregates may travel to the brain via the vagus nerve,initiating the cascade of neuronal damage associated with the disease.
The emerging theory centers on the misfolding of alpha-synuclein, a protein found throughout the body, but especially abundant in the gut. In Parkinson’s patients, this protein clumps together, forming Lewy bodies that disrupt normal cellular function. A study published in Neurology in 2024 demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of alpha-synuclein in their gut exhibited a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease within five years.
“We’re beginning to see Parkinson’s not as a primarily brain disease, but as a systemic disorder that manifests in the brain,” explains Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, a neurologist at the University of Toronto and leading researcher in the field. “The gut could be the silent initiator,and the brain the unfortunate recipient.”
Current research is focused on identifying specific gut bacteria that may contribute to alpha-synuclein misfolding and exploring potential interventions, including dietary modifications and targeted therapies, to prevent or slow the disease’s progression. Clinical trials investigating the impact of probiotics and prebiotics on Parkinson’s symptoms are already underway, with initial results expected in late 2026. The findings underscore the critical connection between gut health and neurological function, possibly revolutionizing our understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease.